But the ultimate act of self-care is, of course, listening to your body and what it needs. “It’s alright to have a bit of chocolate cake if that’s what you want!” Gemma notes. “It’s about giving yourself permission to do that, rather than getting sad about it, and beating yourself up.” Spread it out evenly and top with the mash. Run a fork through the mash and bake for 35–40 minutes, until the edges of the mash are crispy. Not until my husband and I were struggling to have kids. After having five late miscarriages over the period of five years, I examined my diet. I wasn’t brought up on a vegetarian diet, but I soon discovered how a plant-based wholefood diet can reduce inflammation and improve mental health. I started feeling more positive when going through a really difficult time. Stir the tamari, thyme and parsley through the pulses mixture and spoon it into a large pie dish (remove the bay leaves if you can find them!).

So many of us go about our busy lives without eating wholesome food. Yet without giving our body what it truly needs to fuel us through the day (and night), we get ill, feel low, and have trouble sleeping.

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While the potatoes are cooking, heat the olive oil in another large saucepan set over a medium heat. Fry the onion and garlic for 2 minutes, until starting to soften. With over 60 delicious recipes, including Barley and Miso Risotto with Greens and Crispy Shrooms to boost energy levels and mood, Super Nourish Stir Fry with Kimchi to support gut health and immunity, and Tummy-loving Simple Stew to ease digestive issues, The Healing Cookbook is the path to wellness and vitality. Read more Look Inside Details I was in the mental health sector for 15 years, working in the NHS with women with serious drug and alcohol issues,” says Gemma.

What’s it about? A recipe and self-care book rolled into one, this is the first of its kind. With over 60 delicious recipes including fiery bean stew for the days we feel we need some comforting, calming miso pasta to give your gut a boost and indulgent chocolate pud for those days you need a treat. This is a recipe book for anyone who feels they need some good mood food to replenish and restore – the type of food that takes away guilt and makes you feel good inside and out.As many of us know though, as much as we can have good intentions with self-care, so often busy schedules take over and we just seem to not have enough time. Gemma’s response to that? Prioritise it. Nourishing and comforting plant-based recipes to boost your energy, help you sleep, and brighten your mood. The gut plays a vital role in our health,” Ogston writes, “by helping control digestion and assisting our immune system. There is also a lot of recent research showing that our gut health has a direct link to our emotions and mood. First make the mash. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add all the potatoes and a pinch of sea salt and cook for 20 minutes, until soft.

The Healing Cookbook takes self-care to the next level. In this four-colour illustrated book, plant-based chef Gemma Ogston shows readers how to supercharge their immune system and boost their mood, to feel better and stay well. It comes at a time when many of us have struggled with our health and are looking for ways to recover from illness and stay well.So many of us go about our busy lives without eating wholesome food. Yet without giving our body what it truly needs to fuel us through the day (and night), we get ill, feel low and have trouble sleeping. In this beautiful book, Gemma Ogston introduces us to eating as the ultimate chef, and her journey to becoming a mother and business owner, each recipe has been crafted to be nurturing to your body – and mind.